Why Do Kids Watch The Same Movie Over And Over Again?
The reason children watch the same movie over and over is based on two reasons. The first is about the learning process, while the second is about celebrating what has been learned. Who doesn’t like to see the goal that won the favorite team over and over again?
Children learn by a system of patterns . As they repeat themselves, knowledge and understanding settle in your head. That’s why they instinctively try to repeat the action or activity: because each time they discover something new.
In adults, a system of patterns could have the same effect. But as adults, knowledge comes faster because the brain has more tools and information. However, when testing a replay of a movie, the adult will discover new details each time they watch it again.
The memory: why children watch the same movie over and over again
Repetition learning is one of the oldest techniques in education. It is not in vain that the teachers repeat the multiplication table several times until the students end up memorizing it.
Songs were even written for children to learn numbers or ABC.
In young children, this pattern can also be seen during playtime. To fix in his memory that the green stick goes through the green hole, the child will repeat the action several times; and even after succeeding, it will certainly keep repeating the pattern over and over again.
In the case of movies, through repetition the little ones memorize the characters and understand the plot. Every time they watch the same movie they are able to understand a little more of the story, which will offer them new emotions compared to when they saw it for the first time.
Again, please!
Repetition is also a symptom of acceptance. As children discover new things in the activities they have just repeated, they want to celebrate more often. In your brain it is fixed how the pieces of a puzzle fit together or how a puzzle is solved; and so they want to try again.
When it comes to movies, some of them you already know fill them with awe, even if for adults it’s predictable. In the case of children, knowing what is going to happen connects them with emotion and also gives them personal security.
For this reason, the movie or story told will often never lose interest. Remembering sentences, dialogues or reactions is a very fun experience for them, almost magical, because they are able to predict “the future or destiny” of the protagonist.
It is now my favorite part!
Another reason children watch the same movie over and over is because of the emotion with which they remember the first time. Even if they’re not very aware of it, just watching their reactions can you tell when a movie amuses them; and this experience is also fixed in memory.
Some kids cover their eyes before the bad guy appears or start laughing before the funny part. This is because the scene is already familiar to them and connects them with the feelings produced.
It’s the same with adults. The repetition of songs, movies or stories in the case of adults is more associated with emotions, with how each song or movie makes us feel and what it reminds us of.
Stimulating understanding
One way for parents to participate in this learning process is to share the moment with their children. Whether it’s watching the movie and enjoying the kids’ reactions, or showing surprise when the kids announce what’s going to happen.
Another way to encourage understanding is to ask questions about the film or the short story. What do you think will happen now? Why did the character look like this? This technique puts attention to the test and allows the adult to know if the child is understanding the plot.
Some movies can be very confusing or misinterpreted by children. That’s why asking about the story can even help to clarify any doubts the little one may have.
